Molding An Import Firm

The flower pots and fountains at Pottery Imports in Fort Lauderdale are designed for the typical garden.

But because of the economical prices, many are finding their way to unusual places.

``A lot of pieces are used to make coffee tables,`` Aradio F. Zambrano said. ``It makes an inexpensive and out-of-the-ordinary table.``

Zambrano is the owner of Pottery Imports, a Mexican pottery shop that sells everything from 7-foot fountains to small Aztec masks.

After seeing a friend`s Mexican pottery business in Houston, Zambrano thought a similar store could work in South Florida.

However, he came up with an idea that he thought would make his business even more successful: his own factory in Mexico.

Zambrano, born in Mexico and raised in Texas, opened a pottery factory outside his wife`s hometown of Guadalajara. He was tired of dealing with importers who did not offer the quality he knew existed in Mexico.

Pottery Imports can now import high quality Mexican pottery for less money, Zambrano said.

Prices at the store range from about $15 for some small statues and pots to $1,200 for large fountains. Most large flower pots cost about $50.

But aside from the price, many customers like the rugged look of Mexican pottery.

``It has a crude, rustic, Aztec type of design,`` said John Everest, who imports Zambrano`s pottery to his store in Owen Found, Ontario. ``And a lot of people like that rather than the perfect pottery done on a machine.``

``Its imperfections give it more character, which in turn gives it more alternatives for the Southwest decor being used today,`` Zambrano said.

And he thinks his pottery will catch on not only in South Florida but elsewhere.

Zambrano started the Zambrano Corp. with the opening of his Mexican factory about a year ago. He had opened his Fort Lauderdale store a year earlier.

The Zambrano Corp. exports pottery to Canada and the Caribbean and hopes to begin importing to Europe early next year.